This Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is exactly what you need on a cool day to warm you from the inside out. Filled with juicy chicken and tender noodles, this easy chicken noodle only takes about 30 minutes to make.

P.S. Our secret to seasoning the soup at the end is worth discovering.

Chicken Noodle Soup in a stock pot ready to serve in just 30 minutes

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Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest. You’ll love the easy prep with this classic chicken noodle soup. There’s no need to trim the chicken ahead of time since the fat comes off easily after it’s boiled.

Chicken Noodle Soup Video Tutorial

This simple Chicken Noodle Soup is nutritious, hearty, and makes the perfect dish for busy families. My sister Anna came up with this recipe and first introduced me to it when she sent me a pot of soup after our first child was born over 10 years ago. We’ve been making it ever since and even made a Creamy Chicken Soup version!

Chicken Noodle Soup Ingredients

This Chicken Noodle Soup calls for traditional ingredients and a slight twist on the seasonings.

  • Chicken: The secret to super tender chicken without crazy long cooking times is using chicken thighs! You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Thighs also provide extra flavor and don’t dry out like chicken breast does.
  • Broth: Our Homemade Chicken Broth is a delicious addition to this soup and provides a rich flavor. However, if you are in a pinch a low-sodium store-bought broth can work.
  • Vegetables: Onions and celery sauteed together provide the traditional base for chicken noodle soup flavor. Diced carrots are another traditional vegetable. You can also add any other fresh or frozen veggies you would like.
  • Seasonings: Dill and freshly-pressed garlic brighten the flavor palette and I love adding Mrs. Dash (no-salt seasoning).

Close-up of plump noodles, flavorful carrots, and moist shredded chicken in Chicken Noodle Soup

Pro Tip: When sauteing ingredients for soups, use oil in the pan instead of butter. Butter will solidify when you refrigerate the soup.

The Best Noodles for Soup

I love using nice spiral noodles or egg noodles in my chicken noodle soup. These noodles plump up nicely and make the soup feel really hearty compared to other noodle varieties. Make sure you don’t overcook your noodles, especially if storing the soup or they will get mushy.

For Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

This soup is so simple and easy to modify for different food intolerances. To make it gluten-free, just sub your favorite gluten-free noodles.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup ready to serve with dill and freshly pressed garlic

The Benefits of Homemade Broth

Homemade Chicken Broth adds rich flavor to any soup or recipe that calls for chicken stock or broth. According to Medical News Today (2023), bone broth is highly nutritious and may help reduce inflammation and improve gut health.

When you cook the homemade broth in an instant pot – you can have it ready in about 2 hours. It also makes all the difference in how good your soup tastes.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup with plump tender noodles and juicy shredded chicken thighs

How to Make Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

This easy chicken soup takes about 30 minutes to make. The SECRET to amping up the flavor happens in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Adding dill and a pressed clove of garlic is what my Mother does for nearly all of her soups and I have adopted this in my own kitchen. It is a brilliant and easy way to make your chicken soup taste fantastic!

  1. Cook the Chicken: In a large soup pot, combine water, Chicken Broth, and salt. Bring to a boil then add chicken thighs and cook uncovered 20 minutes.
  2. Saute Veggies: In a large skillet saute onion and celery in oil until golden then add to the soup pot
  3. Add Noodles and Veggies: Add 1/2 lb pasta and sliced carrots to the pot and cook 15 min at a low boil.
  4. Shred Chicken: As the pasta cooks, remove thighs from the pot and shred with forks (discarding bones and fat), then add the chicken back to the pot.
  5. Season: In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add Mrs. Dash, dill, and press in 1 garlic clove, and add salt to taste. Simmer another minute then turn off the heat.

Picture collage of making Chicken Noodle Soup: creating the broth, adding the juicy chicken thighs, sauteing celery and onions, adding sliced carrots and noodles

Storing Leftover Chicken Noodle Soup

We love making a big pot of chicken soup and enjoying it throughout the week. Keep in mind, if the soup is stored too long, the noodles will turn mushy. If storing longer than 1-2 days, it’s best to store the soup and the noodles separately and recombine right before serving.

  • Refrigerated: Cool the soup completely and store covered in the refrigerator. Once noodles are in, the soup should be enjoyed within 2 days. The soup will keep up to a week if you store the noodles separately and combine when reheated.
  • To Freeze: If you plan to freeze the soup, wait to add the noodles when you reheat the soup. Chicken soup can be frozen up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: Recombine noodles and soup in a pot or microwave-safe bowl and heat to the desired temperature on the stovetop or in the microwave. If using uncooked noodles, reheat on the stove until the mixture boils and noodles are tender.

Delicious chicken noodle soup with homemade broth and crackers

More Delicious Soup Recipes:

We love soups, for the ease in preparation and their fun variety. Be sure to give some of our other popular soups a try. P.S. If you love chicken soup, our Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup is a must-try!

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

4.97 from 365 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Chicken Noodle Soup in a blue pot
This easy Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is exactly what you imagine when you think of homemade chicken noodle soup - soothing, warming, comforting and rich in flavor. It is loaded with juicy chicken and tender noodles.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 people
  • 4 chicken thighs, skins removed (bone-in or boneless)
  • 8 cups chicken broth, we used low sodium
  • 6 cups water
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, to saute vegetables
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium celery sticks, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced into rings
  • 6 oz rotini pasta
  • 3 Tbsp fresh or frozen dill
  • 1 tsp Mrs. Dash, or your favorite salt-free seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, combine 6 cups water with 8 cups chicken broth and 1 Tbsp sea salt. Bring to a boil then add chicken thighs and boil partially covered 20 min while you prep the vegetables, skimming off any foam that rises to the top. 
  • In a large skillet over medium/high heat, add 2 Tbsp olive oil and sauté onion and celery until softened then transfer to the pot.
  • Add pasta and sliced carrots to the soup pot and continue cooking for 15 min at a low boil or until pasta is at the desired softness.
  • While pasta is cooking, remove chicken thighs from the pot and use either forks or your hands to shred the chicken, discarding any bones and fat which should come off easily. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
  • Season soup with 1 tsp Mrs. Dash (or your favorite seasoning) and more salt to taste if needed. Press in 1 garlic clove. Finally, add 3 Tbsp dill and remove from heat. Enjoy!

Nutrition Per Serving

249kcal Calories22g Carbs14g Protein12g Fat3g Saturated Fat44mg Cholesterol807mg Sodium367mg Potassium1g Fiber2g Sugar2091IU Vitamin A2mg Vitamin C35mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
249
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
44
mg
15
%
Sodium
 
807
mg
35
%
Potassium
 
367
mg
10
%
Carbohydrates
 
22
g
7
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
14
g
28
%
Vitamin A
 
2091
IU
42
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
35
mg
4
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken noodle soup, chicken soup
Skill Level: Easy/Medium
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 249

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Rhonda Kennedy
    February 6, 2024

    Hands down the most juiciest and delicious chicken noodle soup I’ve ever made or had!, followed the recipe exactly other than a tad too much rotini, out of a 16oz box I did my best, but it kept looking like it wasn’t enough, but oh yeah pasta grows, lol!, but nonetheless it was a comforting and amazing dish on this rainy winter’s night here in California. Thank you Natasha, you are my go to for easiest to understand and most delicious recipes! 🙏🏻

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 6, 2024

      Hey Rhonda, that’s lovely to hear! Thanks so much for sharing your experience trying my chicken noodle soup recipe. So glad that you love it!

      Reply

  • Craig
    January 31, 2024

    Why is the amount of broth different in the video than in the recipe? More than a little confusing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 31, 2024

      Hi Craig! Sometimes we update the recipe but can no longer update the video since it’s been filmed. The written recipe is the most updated version.

      Reply

  • Terry H
    January 15, 2024

    I just made this for the second time because my husband said it was the best chicken noodle soup he has ever had. Cooking the chicken thighs in the broth makes the flavor so rich!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 15, 2024

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Terry!

      Reply

  • Ashley
    January 9, 2024

    Can this be made with chicken breast instead of thighs? If so would cooking time differ?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 10, 2024

      Thighs provide extra flavor and don’t dry out like chicken breast does but of course that will still work.

      Reply

  • Gigi
    December 15, 2023

    This is the second time I have made this. My four year old granddaughter loves it. I love that it starts with making your own broth. I waited until the end and added dill, garlic, and lemon juice. GD is coming tonight and am looking forward to giving her a bowl.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 15, 2023

      So glad it’s being enjoyed. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  • Lida
    December 7, 2023

    What my mom does is that once she takes the skin off the onion she washes the onion and the knife and cuts it by a kitchen fan. Hope that helps (:

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 7, 2023

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Lida!

      Reply

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